Blade Nzimande to continue campaigning for ANC despite SACP election split

South African Communist Party (SACP) chairperson Blade Nzimande says he will continue campaigning for the African National Congress (ANC) ahead of the 4 November local government elections, despite the SACP’s decision to contest the elections independently.

The SACP is part of the tripartite alliance with the ANC and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and has historically campaigned alongside the ANC during national and local elections.

However, in December 2024, the SACP confirmed that it would contest the 2026 local government elections independently. The Communist Party has consistently criticised the ANC for forming a Government of National Unity (GNU) with parties such as the Democratic Alliance (DA).

BLADE NZIMANDE TO CAMPAIGN FOR THE ANC

During an election campaign in the Moses Mabhida region at the weekend, Nzimande told The Witness that while he respected the SACP’s decision to contest the upcoming elections independently, he would continue campaigning for the ANC.

“We’ve never been in this situation before, and I don’t think people should just blame the SACP because that will be wrong. This was supposed to be tackled by all of us as the leadership of the alliance but unfortunately we failed to do it on time such that the SACP took this decision, but we’ve got a better way of handling this,” Nzimande said.

The South African Communist Party (SACP) is holding a Central Committee Plenary from Oct 11-13, 2024. On Oct 13 at 13:30, General Secretary Solly Mapaila will present key outcomes at a press briefing at COSATU House, Johannesburg. #SACP #Plenary2024 pic.twitter.com/cq5dDf7ZzK

— Prof Blade Nzimande (@DrBladeNzimande) October 13, 2024

Nzimande, who is the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, said he would continue campaigning for the ANC and would not attack the SACP, saying this was an agreement within the alliance.

“I’ll focus on the ANC programme. It’s a difficult and challenging situation. We are committed to keeping the alliance personally and as the SACP. November 4 is going to be a huge challenge and whether after November 4 we will be able to keep the alliance,” he said.

Nzimande also said the SACP had taken a decision that those who had been deployed by the ANC should continue campaigning for the party.

“My heart is with the ANC, I’ve always campaigned for the ANC since 1994,” he said.